Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony RX100 II

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Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony RX100 II

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4/3 224.9mm²
12.3 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL2 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-PL2.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 II.
Compare Sony RX100 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 II conclusion.

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Differences

Olympus E-PL2 advantages over Sony RX100 II

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.29 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.30 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-PL2 test data on DxO Mark RX100 II test data on DxO Mark

573 vs 483 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony RX100 II advantages over Olympus E-PL2

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
RX100 II test data on DxO Mark E-PL2 test data on DxO Mark

12.4 vs 10.2 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

350 vs 280 shots
Capture more photos
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
1229k vs 460k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.15 vs 0.43 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
9.6 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-PL2 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Read our Olympus E-PL2 Review

New, 20.2MP, 1-inch type, backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor produces superb image quality, with particular improvements in low light and high ISO; 3-inch tilting rear LCD screen handy for composing shots from difficult angles; Fast all-around performer with quick autofocus and virtually no shutter lag; New, multi-interface hotshoe for adding a strobe or optional electronic viewfinder; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.
Bigger and heavier than previous model; More expensive than previous model; Reduced burst performance when shooting RAW files; Somewhat confusing menu structure and control layout; Wi-Fi features can be difficult to set up.
Read our Sony RX100 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100

Olympus E-PL2

Sony RX100

$600
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1074
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony RX100

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100

$598
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1074
1 inch

Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Olympus E-PL2

Sony RX100 III

$600
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100 III

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Olympus E-PL1

Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-PL1

$600
4/3

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$392
4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL1

Sony RX100 II

Olympus E-PL1

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$392
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Olympus E-PL1

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-P3

$600
4/3

Less expensive

$561
4/3

Fast startup
More dots on screen

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-P3

Sony RX100 II

Olympus E-P3

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$561
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-PL3

$600
4/3

Less expensive
Fast startup

$700
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Less shutter lag

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL3

Sony RX100 II

Olympus E-PL3

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$700
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Olympus E-PL3

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